Food insecurity in households in Pernambuco, Northeast region of Brazil: contributions to the discussion on the violation of the right to adequate food

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902022210617en

Keywords:

Food security, Food assistance, Socioeconomic factors, Social inequality

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with food insecurity in households in the state of Pernambuco, in the Northeast region of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study carried out in 1,008 private households. The investigation used the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) and analyzed associations with socioeconomic and demographic variables, as well as practices related to eating. Prevalence ratio and adjustment were calculated using Poisson regression, and associations where p ≤ 0.05 were statistically significant. Food insecurity prevalence was 68.4%. Variables associated with insecurity were: education of the head of the family; per capita income; participation in the Bolsa Família Program; number of residents; occupation of the household; social class; practices and opinions about family eating habits. The greatest insecurity risk was found in those with the worst economic conditions, in beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program and in those who considered the lack of ultra-processed products to improve the family’s diet. Food insecurity was linked to conditions of social vulnerability and to those who did not perceive that they had a good diet. Most of the subjects reported using resources of the Bolsa Família program to purchase food, which reinforces the importance of this strategy in promoting access to food.

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Author Biographies

  • Catarine Santos da Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde do Trairi. Curso de Nutrição. Santa Cruz, RN, Brasil.

  • Marilia de Carvalho Lima, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente. Recife, PE, Brasil.

  • Juliana Souza Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro Acadêmico de Vitória. Núcleo de Nutrição. Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brasil.

  • Fernanda Cristina de Lima Pinto Tavares, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Nutrição. Recife, PE, Brasil.

  • Vanessa Sá Leal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro Acadêmico de Vitória. Núcleo de Nutrição. Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brasil.

  • Flávio Luiz Schieck Valente, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia em Soberania e Segurança Alimentar do Nordeste. Recife, PE, Brasil.

  • Pedro Israel Cabral de Lira, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nutrição. Recife, PE, Brasil.

  • Malaquias Batista Filho, Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira

    Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira. Departamento de Pesquisa em Nutrição. Recife, PE, Brasil.

Published

2022-11-25

Issue

Section

Original research articles

How to Cite

Silva, C. S. da, Lima, M. de C., Oliveira, J. S., Tavares, F. C. de L. P., Leal, V. S., Valente, F. L. S., Lira, P. I. C. de, & Batista Filho, M. (2022). Food insecurity in households in Pernambuco, Northeast region of Brazil: contributions to the discussion on the violation of the right to adequate food. Saúde E Sociedade, 31(4), e210617en. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902022210617en